Hall of Fame in Australia

Hall of Fame in Australia

The IRONMAN in Australia Hall of Fame was established in 1997 to honour individuals who had stamped their individual and unique mark on IRONMAN Australia, a race that is the 4th oldest IRONMAN in the world behind the IRONMAN World Championship, IRONMAN Canada and IRONMAN New Zealand.

Expanded to include all IRONMAN events in Australia in 2013 the prestigious award recognises those and have made a significant and lasting impression on the sport in Australia.

1997 - Pauli Kiuru #1

Pauli Kiuru from Finland was our first inductee. Pauli really set the scene for the emergence of international competitors, particularly the professionals, arriving to compete down under. Pauli reined Champion from 1991 to 1994, was 3rd in 1995, missed the 1996 race and returned for the last time in 1997 for a 9th placing against a huge international professional field ending an amazing IRONMAN Australia career against some of the world’s best. As at 2007 Pauli holds the Bike Race Record and Overall Race Record.

1997 - Louise Bonham #2

Louise Bonham (nee McKinlay) was number 2. Louise’s venture to IRONMAN Australia started in 1987 with her first win and went on to defend her crown in 1988 and 1989, missing the 1990 race to return for a 2nd placing in 1991. She returned in 1992 for her last race and a win once again. Louise was regarded in those early years as the Queen of Australian Triathlon with an amazing career at all distances and top 10 performances at Kona.

1998 - Fred Knudsen #3

Fred Knudsen followed Pauli and Louse for number 3 inductee in 1998 at the young age of 77 years. Fred competed and won his age division in Kona as well as wins at IRONMAN Australia. Fred has been an inspiration to all triathletes in Australia. He started his IRONMAN Australia journey in 1988 and returned in 1992 before calling it a day at the IRONMAN distance after 3 DNF’s in 1994, 1996 and 1997 to end an amazing IRONMAN race history at age 76 years.

Such was the strict guidelines for Hall of Fame that no inductions were made for another 5 years and then it was time to reflect on some individuals.

2003 - Bruce Thomas #4

Bruce Thomas became inductee number 4 in 2003. Bruce’s performances at IRONMAN Australia were legendary, yet he was never able to conquer the race finishing an incredible 7 straight finishes all under 9 hours from 1991 to 1997 with a disappointing DNF in 1998 which saw the end of his onslaught on the race. His best performances saw a second to Pauli in 1993 and 1994, a 3rd placing in 1996 and 5th in 1997. He was always a top 5 or top 10 finisher as well as performances at other IRONMAN races including Kona where he had a top 10 finish.

2004 - Bob Southwell #5

In 2004 the Hall of Fame looked at the older competitor ranks and the legendary Bob Southwell, patriarch of the famous Southwell family, became our 5th inductee. Bob has had an amazing IRONMAN Australia and Kona career and holds the 70-74 and 75+ race records as at 2007 and was a World Champion. Bob’s quiet demeanour and ageless appearance has earnt him the respect of triathletes worldwide.

In between this Jason won the inaugural IRONMAN Western Australia in 2004 and returned in 2006 to not only regain the crown but also to post the fastest finishing time in Australia.

2005 - Ken Baggs #7

Also in 2005 the first non athlete was inducted (by Jason), Race Director, Ken Baggs who with wife Glenda has been at the helm of IRONMAN Australia and more recently IRONMAN Western Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 along with some Australian Long Course Championships and 12 Half IRONMAN races spanning 23 years dating back to 1985. Ken became the number 7 inductee.

2006 - Bob Scammell, Dick Quinn, and Dave Ross #8 #9 #10

It was inevitable that these 3 Legends in the sport and in IRONMAN racing would come under review for induction and it was appropriate that this occur on the first race at Port Macquarie.

The question was always there - who would fall behind first? Dick took this honour after the trio had reached their 15th year milestone in 2000 and returning for the 16th in 2001, Dick succumbed to an old nagging injury. Dick now is giving back to the sport in on going involvement with the race. Bob and Dave went head to head for another 6 years to the 2006 race – after reaching their 20 year milestone in the 2005 race. It was to be Bob in his return for race # 21 in 2006 who would falter and it was an emotional time when he withdrew late into the run. Bob would return in 2007 but again falter. Dave is currently the sole competitor who has now completed every IRONMAN Australia race with #23 in 2008.

2007 - Teresa Kunaeva #11

In 2007 it was time for the ladies and the ageless age group athlete and former professional and winner of the 1st Ultra Distance Triathlon in Sydney back in 1983, Teresa Kunaeva to become inductee number 11

Teresa has impacted on the triathlon community and especially IRONMAN Australia over 22 years. She has been an inspiration to the age group athletes who make up the bulk of IRONMAN fields. She has been particularly inspiring to the female IRONMAN athlete with her spirit of commitment to life and the "never give up approach".

2007 - Barry Stonham #12

The second non athlete and inductee number 9 was also added to this exclusive list also in 2007. Barry Stonham of Tuncurry had been on the volunteer team at IRONMAN Australia since the first race in 1985 and in all that time as an Aid Station Captain. He was infamous to all IRONMAN competitors with his humour, his larrikinism and above all his dedication and commitment to serving athletes. He led his Aid Station Team with enthusiasm and an iron fist. He was responsible for "introducing" non aid station food items to competitors. Anything from baked cakes, cups of tea and chocolates were on his "secret" menu. He also did many other volunteer jobs to help out in the office such a writing all the numbers on the swim caps, the raffle, etc. etc. and was an inspiration to IRONMAN Australia and the Great Lakes Community.

Sadly Barry passed away in 2007 and his induction was made just several weeks prior to his passing by Glenda Baggs. He was a volunteer of volunteers and is survived by wife Gwen, also a volunteer at the Aid Station all those years and also helping Glenda and the girls in the office, even being first to book their accommodation and making sure they were up at Port Macquarie to continue their good work for the first year of IRONMAN in Port.

The Great Lakes Council has dedicated a Park in Tuncurry in the area of his Aid Station to Barry, such was his many other volunteer roles in the community.

2008 - Chris McCormack #13

The year 2008 could not have passed without the recognition of this talented athlete and his astounding race history culminating in becoming World IRONMAN Champion in Kona 2007.

His record at IRONMAN Australia speaks for itself with 5 straight wins from 2002 through to 2006 and blitzing the new course at the race’s new home at Port Macquarie in that first event there in 2006. Chris remains an inspiration to all triathletes especially those at IRONMAN level.

2008 - Karen Pini #14

2008 was to also be Karen’s turn to be the surprise induction #14 by Glenda Baggs. It is a fact that more recent IRONMAN competitors were not born when Karen first became directly involved with the event in 1987. She has been a legend in her own right – centrefold for the first Australian Playboy Magazine, Runner up to Miss World, TV Soap star in the Young Doctors, a member of the old Paul Hogan TV Comedy Shows and the "Lotto Girl" -amongst her many claims to fame. But each year from 1987 (she did attend the first race in 1985 as an avid spectator) it is estimated that she presented over 20,000 finisher medals and gave an equal number of hugs and kisses at the IRONMAN finish line as well as doing some commentating and presentations and hosting at the awards ceremonies along the way.

2010 - Belinda Granger #15

There were no inductees in 2009 but with the 25th Anniversary of the race celebrated in 2010 it was inevitable that there would be one more to join the ranks and Belinda was a unanimous choice. She has an incredible IRONMAN race history and with several IRONMAN wins and a host of top 10 finishes throughout the world including Kona, it was only fitting Belinda would become the fourth female inducted.

2013 - Greg Welsh #16

Former surf lifesaving champion and Australian triathlon pioneer, Greg Welch’s immense talent and amazing versatility allowed him to be highly competitive in all triathlon distances, winning multiple ITU World Championships (standard distance, duathlon and long course).

Welchy was Australian national triathlon champion, bronze medalist at the 1990 Commonwealth Games and he dominated the US triathlon scene in the 90’s winning the US Pro Champs (three times), the prestigious Mrs. T’s Chicago Triathlon and the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon (twice).

Welchy’s win at the 1994 IRONMAN World Championship, where he became the first non American to triumph in Kona, elevated this true legend of Australian sport into the superstar class.

2016 - Delly Carr #17

Delly Carr’s interested in photography began in high school when he conned the sports master into letting him take action photographs of the rugby team for the school newsletter.
Working in marketing and freelancing as a photographer part-time, Delly eventually left the corporate world to chase his dream to be a full-time sports photographer, starting hIs agency Sportshoot in 1987. Since then he has worked with almost every major sporting organization in Australia, but is best known for his work in triathlon and swimming.
The only Sports Photography Ambassador for Nikon Oceania, Delly has photographed every Summer Olympic Games since 1996, every Commonwealth Games since 1994, the Football World Cup in 2006 and 2010, and more recently, the Winter Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games in 2018.